Digest Number 44

[Guest guest]

>"Kris R." <watersister

>

>I do want some input as to what each one thinks about perfectionism. I

>see that we are human and thereby not fully realized (in most cases). I

>experience that there is tension always between being and becoming. My

>point here is that it seem in our quest to remember who we are, we can

>fall prey to perfectionism(meaning for me the complete lack of human

>mistakes). What are your thoughts on this? I hope I am being clear.

 

Kris,

 

That pushes one of my buttons! What I think is that, as Kathy says, on one

level we already are perfect. However, on *this* level, the "me" that sits

in front of the computer and ponders your words, I am still struggling with

this. Every once in a while I 'get it' temporarily and become very peaceful

and trusting and flowing. Then I fall out of that state of grace and go back

to struggling with this again, thinking I need to get everything "right"

where spiritual attainment is concerned, and that god/dess is watching some

sort of cosmic clock and pursing his/her lips disapprovingly, perhaps

tapping his/her toes impatiently.

 

However, one thing I've learned is that *reaching* (more gentle than

'striving' perhaps) is just fine, *as long as I don't scold myself for not

having got there yet*. There is something about accepting myself as I am

that allows growth, and something about scolding myself for imperfections

that inhibits it. The trick, for me, seems to be to note the imperfections

and gently look for other, hopefully more appropriate ways of being in the

world.

 

It's late and I'm tired. I only hope the above makes as much sense to others

as it does to me at this moment. I also hope it will still make sense to

me in the morning...

 

Jesa, who every once in a while remembers to just grow like a flower -

naturally, appropriately, and lovingly - reaching for the sun.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris/watersister, and welcome to the list!

 

I'm glad you wrote here!

 

A thought on perfection:

Perfection, in a sense, is what we already are, even while our

consciousness evolves. Our actions aren't yet perfect, nor are our

thoughts, but in the deepest part of our beings we are already perfect as

we move into what we already are.

 

Welcome again!

 

Kathy Saraswati